The Historic Columbia River Highway News is your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail--a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.

Historic Highway Advisory Committee Meeting

The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet at the Bonneville Dam Auditorium (I-84, exit 40) on Tuesday, December 11 from 10 am - 3 pm. The meeting highlights include a yearly overview of the projects that have been completed on the Historic Highway and future projects; a geo-technical study on rock treatments; The Dalles scenic byway gateway sign; planning for the Historic Highway State Trail opening in 2013; and a wayfinding plan update. For more information contact Kristen Stallman.

The Architectural Heritage Center in Portland is hosting an art exhibit this December entitled "Gorge Inspirations." The exhibit will feature artists who have drawn their inspiration from the Columbia River Gorge.

Entering the Gorge by Shawn Demarest

Artists include: Stephanie Cissna, Shawn Demarest, David Greene, CJ Hurley, Brad Lorang, Dave Shelman, Heather Soderberg, Jean Thomas and Aaron Trotter. Additionally, Clarence Mershon's collection of historic photos depicting the construction of the Historic Highway will be on loan from the Rooster Rock State Park Office. Mark your calendars for the First Friday openings in December and for the following events at the Center:

Friday, December 7 - First Friday Art Exhibit Opening - 6:00 - 8:00 pm, hosted by Friends of Vista House and Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway. A great opportunity to meet the folks behind the preservation of Oregon's iconic structures and landscapes.

For more information, hours and locations check out the Architectural Heritage Center's website at www.visitahc.org.

The Dalles Historic Highway Entrance Sign

The Historic Highway Advisory Committee is working with the landscape architechture firm, Walker Macy, to develop a sign to mark the east entrance to the Historic Columbia River Highway. This gateway monument and sign will identify the beginning of the National Scenic Byway. It will be located along the Historic Highway (Route 30) on the west end of The Dalles and adjacent to the Chenoweth Creek Bridge.

The design team and Advisory Committee have worked collaboratively to develop a preferred alternative

Proposed HCRH eastern

entrance sign

for the monument. It will be faced with stone that blends into the natural landscape. The monument is currently being engineered and will hopefully be constructed in 2013. This work was made possible from a grant from the National Scenic Byways Program.

Crown Point Viaduct Project Update

The Historic Columbia River Highway, around Vista House, closed Sept. 4 . Crews are working on restoring the deteriorating viaduct and its support columns that encircle the building. This one-mile stretch of road is closed to all motorized vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. In addition, a section of the highway from Larch Mountain Road to Crown Point is closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet.

This is the first phase of the project and the closure will last until Dec. 31. The Vista House will reopen to the public on Jan. 1, 2013, but will close again on April 1, 2013 for the second phase of the project.

Here is the updated closure schedule:

Oct. 1 to Dec. 31: The Historic Highway from Larch Mountain Road to Latourell Falls will be closed to all pedestrians and vehicles, including bicycles. The section from Latourell Falls to Bridal Veil Falls will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet. Vista House will be closed.

Jan. 1 to April 1: Occasional lane closures with specific traffic restrictions yet to be determined. Vista House will be open on its winter schedule.

April 1, 2013: Tentative start date for the final phase of the project, expected to be completed by late spring 2013. Periodic lane closures with specifics still to be determined. Vista House will be open.

In 2013, Oregon is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Oregon Department of Transportation, which began life as the "Oregon Highway Division" in 1913. Since the beginning, Oregonians have been leaders in transportation, finishing cross-state highways ahead of others, creating award-winning bicycle and pedestrian programs and completing its inaugural effort called: "Getting Oregon Out of the Mud."

Visit the ODOT website to learn more about the history of transportation in Oregon! View photos, videos and news articles from the last 100 years or share your own transportation-related stories.

Take the Survey: Make Cycling in Oregon Even Better!

Travel Oregon, in partnership with bicycle and tourism partners throughout the state, is sponsoring a survey on the economic impact of bicycle-related tourism on Oregon's economy. Information gathered from this survey will aid our understanding of the spending and travel patterns of bicycling visitors on Oregon's economy. The results will also help us identify bicycle-related opportunities in Oregon.

As a traveler in Oregon during 2011 and/or 2012, your insight is pivotal to our success and will enable us to deliver a richer experience in the future. Please help us by providing information about your experience in Oregon, including bicycle riding or attending a bicycle-related event. The survey should take approximately 10 minutes. The answers you supply will be used for statistical purposes only and will be kept strictly confidential.